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April 2, 2009
KIHEI, HI – Let there be no mistake – despite the challenging economic environment, Maui County is very much “open for business”. Entrepreneurship remains alive and well, particularly in the high tech sector of Maui’s economy. To further develop the County’s economic diversity, Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) is launching its online Community Profile to expand its reach to companies and individuals interested in Maui as a business location, especially in technology-related activities. MEDB’s Maui County Community Profile offers a hands-on guide to doing business in Maui and successfully navigating a course in these uncertain times.
The profile at www.maui.com offers updated information on:
- Successful technology companies operating on Maui, including Pacific Biodiesel, Bioreal, Virtual Radiologic, Hnu Photonics, Trex and Akimeka.
- Incentives offered by the state and county for qualified technology and research projects, including enterprise zone tax exemptions and U.S. SBA HUBZone options.
- Costs of doing business along with exemptions and credits available to technology operations.
- Training programs available for workforce development, including options provided by the Women in Technology initiative.
There also are links to details of community and cultural events, programs and services from entertainment events on the Maui Visitors Bureau calendar, social and business networking options and degree programs offered through Maui Community College and the University of Hawaii.
Given the breadth of information provided by the Maui County Community Profile, many on-island companies will find this resource invaluable as a recruitment tool. For anyone in- or out-of-state, it is a great way to get acquainted with the community.
“We are continuing the pursuit of an economic transformation of Maui County from a single-industry base to one that is increasingly diversified and providing opportunities for young people in multiple fields,” said MEDB President and CEO, Jeanne Skog.
“The Maui County Community Profile describes the county’s business climate and its growth sectors with details that an investor or entrepreneur would need to proceed with starting a business,” she said.
“Where the county’s economy once was defined by plantation agriculture, and more recently by real estate and tourism, we have succeeded in diversifying into fields involving science, technology and research. Many innovative start-up companies have joined the list of long-established leaders in their field that have a presence in Maui County.”
For Maui County students and residents, the profile can be helpful in offering insights on the kind of educational and training options they have available for an expanding economy based on business developments involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). While the county, state, national and global economy is on a downslide today, a student can begin to prepare for a STEM-based future with specific links to UH/MCC educational programs.
They and their parents can examine profiles of the county’s successful technology-based businesses to understand what their choices can be.
For information on the MEDB and its programs, go to www.medb.org. To get to the Maui County Community Profile, go to www.maui.com. MEDB welcomes feedback on the site and the information it contains.
The Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1982 with a focus on diversifying Maui's economy. In 1981, Maui County's economic dependence on agriculture and tourism raised concerns about our community’s vulnerability to forces we could not control. Our government, business, and community leaders came together to explore approaches Maui could take to strengthen and diversify our economy. The consensus of those participants was that Maui's economic future would benefit by developing a high technology sector. As a result, MEDB was formed in 1982 to assist the County of Maui in pursuing this high tech future. Today, MEDB partners with the private, public and nonprofit sectors at the local and national levels to achieve our goals. Our programs—which are founded on a respect for our culture and precious environment—assist growth industries, educate and train our residents for new career pathways, and build consensus in addressing our community’s challenges and opportunities.
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